Chris Jones

Chris Jones is editorial page editor, as well as chief theater critic for the Chicago Tribune. He also serves as Broadway critic for the New York Daily News. His latest book is Rise Up! Broadway and American Society from 'Angels in America' to 'Hamilton.'" He has a Ph.D. from Ohio State and lives in Chicago with his wife and sons."

Matt DeCaro, standing at right, with Jabari Khaliq (from left), Al’Jaleel McGhee, Cedric Young and Kelvin Roston Jr. in "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom" at the Goodman Theatre. (Justin Barbin)

Chicago actor Matt DeCaro, part of the cast of ‘Ma Rainey,’ dies at 70

April 29, 2026 at 10:11 a.m.

Chicago actor Matt DeCaro died at home in Bridgeport. He was 70.

Joshua Grosso and the company of "The Great Gatsby" at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. (Evan Zimmerman)

Review: ‘The Great Gatsby’ arrives at Cadillac Palace with a strong cast but simplified set

April 28, 2026 at 1:24 p.m.

The new touring version of this Broadway musical has been trimmed down from the Gotham production, but still lets the audience imagine a glamorous Long Island world.

Brendan Hunt in his solo show "The Movement You Need: An Evening With Brendan Hunt" at Steppenwolf Theatre. (Jenn Udoni)

Review: Brendan Hunt shares his love of The Beatles in an only-in-Chicago story

May 4, 2026 at 1:52 p.m.

The actor famous for "Ted Lasso" spent his formative years here, and it shows. His solo show at Steppenwolf is exceptionally funny and deeply personal.

Enrico Colantoni (as Jerry), Rebecca Spence (Lucy) and Nick Marini (Sean) in "Fault" in the Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. (Justin Barbin)

Review: Little to like in the dark marital comedy ‘Fault’ at Chicago Shakespeare

April 27, 2026 at 3:37 p.m.

Scooter Pietsch's play is filled with the most loathsome trio of characters that you're likely to find in a marital farce.

LJ Benet, Ali Louis Bourzgui and company in "The Lost Boys" on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in New York. (Matthew Murphy)

Review: ‘The Lost Boys’ on Broadway goes for special-effects dazzle

April 26, 2026 at 10:01 p.m.

This new musical adaptation of the 1987 vampire movie has a young cast of heartthrobs and lots of athletic flying for your entertainment.

John Marshall Jr., Anastasia Arnold, Anthony Rapp and Angela Ingersoll in a concert staging of "Follies" by Porchlight Music Theatre at the Studebaker Theater. (Michael Brosilow)

Review: Chicago greats, emerging from the shadows for ‘Follies’ at the Studebaker

April 26, 2026 at 1:33 p.m.

Porchlight Music Theatre's concert-style staging of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's musical had a glorious cast of Chicago theater all-stars, for one weekend only.

Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson, Joshua Boone, Nimene Sierra Wureh and Savannah Commodore in "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York. (Julieta Cervantes)

Review: ‘Joe Turner’s Come and Gone’ is August Wilson’s essential American story

April 25, 2026 at 9:00 p.m.

August Wilson’s play, now in a revival starring Joshua Boone, Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer, is about a painful and consequential Great Migration moment.

Goodman Theatre cancels ‘Ma Rainey’ performance due to death of actor Matt DeCaro, 70

April 25, 2026 at 9:32 p.m.

The longtime Chicago actor Matt DeCaro died early Saturday at home. He worked across the decades at most major Chicago theaters and appeared in movies and TV series.

"Going Bacharach: The Songs of an Icon" with Adrian Galante, Ta-Tynisa Wilson, Hilary Kole and John Pagano, at Chicago’s Apollo Theater. (Russ Rowland)

Review: ‘Going Bacharach’ at Apollo Theater is fabulous way to celebrate his songs

April 24, 2026 at 1:27 p.m.

This is a sophisticated, don't miss experience with the songs of Burt Bacharach — "What the World Needs Now" and all.

Juliette Lewis (as Magenta) with Larkin Reilly, Caleb Quezon,
Paul Soileau and Boy Radio (as Phantoms) in "The Rocky Horror Show" on Broadway at Studio 54 in New York. (Joan Marcus)

Review: ‘Rocky Horror Show’ on Broadway is a show stuck in its own time warp

April 23, 2026 at 8:30 p.m.

How to handle a musical that is no longer shocking, and an audience that wants to shout along? Those questions haven't been fully solved in this Broadway show, but Luke...

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